Center for Balance Disorders - Univ. of Pittsburgh? - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

scsiguru · 03-18-2008, 07:29 PM

Need to see a top Neurotologist in my area since my condition of recurrent bouts of dizziness/disequilibrium have been going on for over 8 years now. I was a Neurotologist about 3 years ago at a university medical center that's an hour and a half away. He was of no help and just gave me a prescription for valium. Anyway, I'm at the point now where I really need to see a top notch Neurotologist and the UPMC are about 3 hours away. Just wondering if anyone has more information on them or have used their services? I'm desparate to find out what's causing my condition. Thanks!

Subs30 · 03-19-2008, 01:27 PM

HI

There are about 6 or 7 Center of Excellence in this area---Northwestern Univ, Harvard, Univ of Penn, etc....

The UPMC is right up there---think---a poster "Gloria" is familiar with them---I'm familiar with the Univ of Penn:

http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/pennorl/about_bal.htm

scsiguru · 03-20-2008, 05:51 PM

Subs30..thank you for your response and information!! I really appreciate it. I'm located in WV. I look forward to feedback from Gloria and any others. Thank you again!

gloria2936 · 03-24-2008, 03:40 PM

Hello,

I go to a neurologist at UPMC's Neurological and Headache Institute. I have found them to be excellent and very helpful. I am not familiar with the balance center there as the neuro -otogist that I saw was with West-Penn Health System's Hearing and Balance Center in Pittsburgh. They seemed fairly knowledgeable but my doctor was rather young and inexperienced this is why I sought out UPMC.

I can't see how you could go wrong with UPMC's balance center. A friend of my neighbors had an ear infection that damaged her 8th crainial nerve causing Bells Palsy 3 years ago. She is seen by a neuro - otogist at UPMC. I do not know the doctor's name but she seemed to be doing quite well the last time I saw her (end of last summer).

I don't have first hand experience with UPMC's Balance Center, but with the care I have received from their Neurology Department, I would say it is well worth your time to give them a try.

Good luck,
Gloria

scsiguru · 03-27-2008, 07:08 PM

Gloria..thank you so much for your feedback on this facility. Looks like UPMC is definitely up there with the best in the country. It's only about a 3 hour drive for me. I'm going to call and see if I can get in. Do you know if they do a full battery of testing? I'm hoping so and then after it's done get a diagnosis for this demon that I've been dealing with since 2000. I'm probably going to stay overnight in a hotel and I'll probably want to take someone with me in case the ENG test really throws me for a loop. Thanks again for your insight and information!

John

Quote:

Originally Posted by gloria2936

Hello,

I go to a neurologist at UPMC's Neurological and Headache Institute. I have found them to be excellent and very helpful. I am not familiar with the balance center there as the neuro -otogist that I saw was with West-Penn Health System's Hearing and Balance Center in Pittsburgh. They seemed fairly knowledgeable but my doctor was rather young and inexperienced this is why I sought out UPMC.

I can't see how you could go wrong with UPMC's balance center. A friend of my neighbors had an ear infection that damaged her 8th crainial nerve causing Bells Palsy 3 years ago. She is seen by a neuro - otogist at UPMC. I do not know the doctor's name but she seemed to be doing quite well the last time I saw her (end of last summer).

I don't have first hand experience with UPMC's Balance Center, but with the care I have received from their Neurology Department, I would say it is well worth your time to give them a try.

Good luck,
Gloria